Abdominal supporter



N0. 6l2,072. Patented Oct. ll, I898. M. A. WATSON.

' ABDOMINAL SUPPOR'TER.

(Application fllagi Oct. 14, 1896.)

(No Model.)

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NITED STATES PATENT OF IC MATTIE A. WATSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ABDOMINAL SUPPO RTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 612,072, dated October 1 89 Application filed October 14, 1896. flerial No. 608,854. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MATTIE A. WATSON, a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Abdominal Binders or Supporters; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a view of a binder embodying my invention, the binder being spread open and the pendent (or transverse) thigh-bands which complete the thigh-opening being partially broken off. Fig. 2 is a front view of the binder or supporter, showing it as in position on the wearer. Fig. 3 is a side View of the binder shown as in position on the wearer. Fig.4 is a perspective view of a modification wherein the anterior straps are dispensed with and the rear straps made adjustable. Fig. 5 is a rear View of the modification shown in Fig. 4, showing detachable buckles in lieu of the safety-pins shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

Like symbols refer to like parts wherever they occur.

The main object of the present invention is the production of a simple, inexpensive, and efficient abdominal binder, which while of general utility as an abdominal supporter for obesity and like conditions is especially adapted for surgical and obstetrical treatment where access must be readily had to the person of the wearer and the pressure or support afforded by the binder must be constant, uniform, and capable of different adjustment at didereut points of the binder.

A further object of the present invention is to dispense with lacings and like fastenings of a shifting character, elastic bands or gores thereof, which while causing the binder to conform to the body at the same time detract from the stability or firmness of the support afforded, and eyelets, which are liable to corrode and irritate the skin and at all times are more or less objectionable.

In carrying out my invention I construct the binder of two lateral sections or halves A A, which are counterparts in form, being sufficiently curved at the front edges a a or median line to give the requisite fullness over the hypogastric region, and said curved edges may in the case of a binder for obesity or like conditions be permanently united on the median line, as indicated in Fig. 4 of the drawings; but by preference and for obstetrical and surgical purposes I employ a series of independent straps b 19, secured by safetypins, or, if preferred, by detachable buckles, which will permit of the ready displacement of the bandage while the wearer is recumbent.

To reduce the fullness of the binder laterally or in the inguinal region and below or at the pubes, each side or section A is provided with a slightly-curved or oblique seam or groin-dart c, which, commencing at the curved front edges a of the binder, extend upward and backward toward the hips for some distance.

The lower edges of the sections A A are cut on curved lines 61 d to conform to the outside of the thighs of the wearer, while the rear edges 6 6 thereof may diverge slightly to the point of attachment of the transverse or thigh bands B B.

The rear edges 6 e of the sections A are never brought in apposition, but are connected by a series of independent cross-straps f f, which will be either permanently attached to the sections A A or separably connected thereto by safety-pins or suitable buckles, accordingly as the anterior connections of the sections are separable or permanent. However, if desired, the sections A A may be separably connected by straps and buckles both in front and in rear, though one set of such sep-' arable connections will suffice, the situation thereof being determined by the particular purpose for which the binder is designed. Such means of connecting the sections A A at the back will permit ventilation and prevent overheating of the spinal-column.

To reduce the fullness of the binder at the waist, as well as to cause it to conform to the curve of the back, each section A A is provided near its upper edge with a seam or waist-dart g, which commences at the rear edge e of the section and extends forward until it overlaps the extremity of the groindart c of said section.

B B indicate the thigh-bands, which are usually attached permanently to the sections A A at the rear of the binder forming the continuation of rear edges 0 e and may also be permanently attached at the front in some cases, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, but preferably, and especially in surgical and obstet rical binders, will be detachably secured at the front, as indicated at h h, Figs. 2 and 3, as such a construction not only facilitates access to the person of the wearer, but enables the binder to be readily applied and removed when the person is reclining.

Any suitable non-elastic Wash fabric which has the required body and firmnesssuch as jean, silesia, coutille, satteen, &c.-may be employed in the construction of my improved binder.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. An abdominal binder or support, com posed of two lateral sections, united at the back by a series of connecting-straps, each of said sections having a groin-dart extending upward and backward, and a Waist-dart extending forward and overlapping the groindart, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

I 2. An abdominal binder or support composed of corresponding lateral sections each provided with a Waist-dart extending forward, and a groin-dart extending upward and backward, said sections united at the rear and front by a series of straps one set of which straps are separable and independently adjustable, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

3. An abdominal binder or support c0rn posed of corresponding lateral sections each provided with a waist-dart which extends forward from the rear edge of the section and a groin-dart which extends backward and upward from the front edge of said section, a series of straps which connect said lateral sections at the front and at the back, one of said sets of straps being separable and separately adjustable, and thigh-bands detachably secured to the said sections below the groin-darts, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

4:. An abdominal binder or support, having two lateral sections Whose anterior adjacent edges are convex, each of said sections pro- Vided with a Waist-dart which extends for ward from the rear edge of said section and a groin-dart which projects upward and backward from the anterior convex edge of said section, and straps for detachably connecting said sections, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my hand this 15th day of August, 1806.

MATTIE A. WATSON. 

